Celebrating Our Veterans

Celebrating Our Veterans, Inc. would like to invite you to join them on their second annual Freedom Cruise on board the brand new Norwegian Breakaway.  The 7-night cruise will sail roundtrip, November 17-14,2013, from New York City aboard the incredible Norwegian Breakaway, making stops in Port Canaveral, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. To see trip inclusions, please click here.

About Celebrating Our Veterans, Inc.

Celebrating Our Veterans was founded in May 2011 by Derick I. Glenn after realizing there was a major need for more community involvement with our Veterans and their families. They are committed to helping our men and women returning home from war, assisting them in finding employment and readjusting to society.

About Norwegian Breakaway

The Norwegian Breakaway is Norwegian Cruise Lines’ newest fleet member. While encompassing many NCL favorites such as Shanghai Noodle Bar, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill and the hot spot, Bliss Ultra Lounge as well as tons of fun for the whole family, the Breakaway also offers a lot of new and exciting features and of course, the look, feel, and life of her home port: New York.

New innovative features include:

• The Waterfront - an onboard oceanfront boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and bars
• 678 Ocean Place - 3 action-packed decks featuring daytime and nighttime amusement
•  Ocean Blu – NCL’s first ever all-seafood restaurant featuring a raw bar and a sushi bar
• Aqua Park & Kid’s Aqua Park - fun water parks including multi-story water slides, swimming pools, hot tubs, kid sized water features and their favorite Nickelodeon characters
• Tons of onboard entertainment - Fireworks, a jazz club, Broadway shows, kid’s clubs, comedy club and more!

To see all that the Breakaway has to offer, be sure to check out “Norwegian Breakaway Sets Sail May 2013…” and “Breakaway on the Breakaway”.

For more information or to book your Celebrating Our Veterans Freedom Cruise, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist by calling 800-755-8020 or emailing travelrequest@boscovs.com.

Family Fun at Sea

Creating a family vacation that your whole gang will love can sometimes be nothing short of a challenge – but that doesn’t mean it has to put a drain on you or your wallet.

By cruising, family fun can be found almost anywhere. The possibilities for you to get away from it all, relax and kick back while having a great time are endless. Cruise ships venture to nearly every corner of the globe, from the sun-drenched islands of the South Pacific to the snowy alpine scenery of Alaska and pretty much everywhere in between.

Offering everything from the comfort of cozy cabins and the excitement of bustling deck areas, to all-day buffets, nightly sweets, talent shows, and special programs for the kids, cruise vacations are voyages filled with a boatload of fun and a world of possibilities. From sunrise to sunset and beyond, you will find unique activities tailored to suit just about any cruiser.

Gone are the days of shuffleboard. Now you have your pick of swimming pools, spiraling waterslides, sports decks, scavenger hunts and much more. Oh, and the ports of call you can visit are pretty cool too!

Family Time Well Spent

Just like your family, cruising is always changing and evolving, introducing new out-of-this-world ships, along with new innovative amenities catering to familes of all sizes and ages. If you’re planning a family cruise for the very first time, or if you are a returning cruiser, you couldn’t have chosen a better time to set sail as there are oodles of new ships with great itineraries and amenities to experience.

No matter how old your kids are, the ships of Norwegian Cruise Line are prime for families – and the line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Breakaway, is certainly no exception. The latest expression of NCL’s ever-popular and relaxed “freestyle cruising” atmosphere, the Norwegian Breakaway’s design will offer the best of the line’s current fleet while infusing a variety of new innovations to create the best vacation ever.

On board you’ll find NCL’s largest kids club to date for ages 3-12; and teens will look forward to getting out of bed and heading to Entourage where they can hang with their peers. Even the under two crowd can enjoy special playtime with their parents in a dedicated area.

To keep the kids active, the on board Sports Complex will challenge cruisers to a game of mini golf or to climb the largest ropes course at sea. There’s even a basketball court and an enclosed climbing cage here too. Of course no family-friendly ship is complete without a pool, or two! The Aqua Park offers five multi-story waterslides (no other ship offers that). Add two swimming pools, four hot tubs and water features and you’ve got more ways to have fun than ever. For the younger crowd, the Kids Aqua Park features squirting  Nickelodeon figures and a perfectly sized pool.

Start your planning now as the stunning Norwegian Breakaway will set sail in the Summer of 2013 from New York to the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda, and in the winter to the warm tropics of the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Florida.

Breakaway on the Breakaway

Last year I shared some impressive details about Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and most incredible ship. She sets sail on May 12, 2013 from New York City and we couldn’t be more excited!

NCL has been slowly releasing more information on this massive, floating fun zone. In addition to The Waterfront, 678 Ocean Place, Breakaway Casino, The Manhattan Room; there is much more included for its lucky passengers.

My favorite thing about traveling has always been the food, so let’s start with all of the great on-board restaurant choices. Besides the six different complimentary dining options on the Breakaway, including O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, there are also eight different specialty restaurants from a range of cuisine choices.

• Ocean Blue – NCL’s first-ever fine-dining seafood experience brought to you by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian.
• Le Bistro French Restaurant – NCL’s signature French restaurant with new Atrium Al Fresco seating options.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse – NCL’s classic, signature steakhouse perched high atop The Manhattan Room.
• Teppanyaki – A guest favorite, Teppanyaki is an exciting hibachi-style dinner and show.
• Moderna Churrascaria – The first Brazilian-style steakhouse at sea, Moderna Churrascaria offers beautiful indoor and outdoor seating options to complement their mouth-watering menu options.
• Shanghai’s Noodle Bar – The largest noodle bar at sea is the answer to your cravings for a taste of the Orient.
• La Cucina Italian Restaurant – This colorful piazza-style trattoria offers family style Italian dining on The Waterfront.
• Wasabi Sushi Bar – Sushi, sashimi and more, artfully presented and prepared as you watch.

In addition to all of the great options already mentioned, the Breakaway went a step further and added some extra tasty treats to their menu. Setting sail for the first time in May is Carlo’s Bake Shop, the famous bakery from TV’s “The Cake Boss”. And if you are looking for a way to cool down while indulging your sweet tooth, check out Dolce Gelato; a true mouth-pleaser.

Believe it or not, Breakaway’s dining options aren’t the only headliners aboard; the entertainment options are out of this world!

Hammie’s Handy Dandy Tips for Travel

Traveling is supposed to be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable. Planning travel should not be the exact opposite. Here are some of Hammie’s tips to make planning travel and traveling more enjoyable.

DREAM IT

• Where, When, How, and How Long? So many places, so little time! Pick a few and then balance out the practicality with your travel agent’s input. Do you really want to go to Hawaii from the east coast for just a few days, when it will take a day’s worth of flights on either end?  Maybe a trip to Puerto Rico would make more sense for such a short time.
• Experience~What do you imagine your trip will be? Do all your travel mates have the same expectations and capabilities?
• Budget~Get real. You’ll thank yourself!  Flights these days are expensive and can really take a bite out of your travel budget without adding fun to the overall experience. Consider cruising from a “home port” if you live close to the coast. Taking the train could be a pleasant alternative as well as driving to your destination.
• Season~Each has it’s pros and cons, when you picture yourself at your destination, what are you doing?  Your travel professional can help pinpoint the best time for you to go. Off season is less expensive and less crowded, however there is a reason it it “the off season”  Sometimes those reasons are deal breakers.
• Apply for a Passport. EVERY Adult should have one and it makes a great long lasting, invaluable gift for anyone over 16! Wouldn’t it be nice to take advantage of those last minute deals.

PLAN IT

• Book your Travel and make your deposit~For most travel, the earlier the better for the best rates and availability.
  Cruises and tours: 6 mos to 2 years- but last minute deals are fabulous if you’re flexible, if pricing for some reason drops before you make final payment, your travel professional may be able to get the lower rate. Ask them to check the week before it’s due.
  Airfare:1-6 months- booking too far out, you’re subject to many flight changes. Airlines are notorious for dropping and switching flights, sometimes several times over a few months.
  All-Inclusives and Hotels: extremely seasonal- book early if you are going during peak seasons or holidays to guarantee space, especially for charters, however last minute deals can be oh so sweet!

• Purchase Travel Insurance~this is an absolute MUST especially when traveling out of the country. It is extremely affordable and there are several levels of coverage, including trip cancellation, medical coverage, emergency evacuation, trip interruption and death benefits.
• Check Passports and/Or Apply for Visa
• Technology~check your cell phone, data plans and Wi-Fi situation. Find out what is the best option for you depending on usage and how you will be using it out of the country
• Arrange Transportation~Referred to as “transfers” this is how you’ll get to and from the airport, to and from port, to and from hotel, as well as sight seeing, sometimes this can be included in your package pricing. You need to take this into consideration especially when flying. Make sure you have picked an airport convenient to your destination. Check with your hotel to see if they have free shuttles. If not, they can generally give you a good idea how much a cab or shuttle service will cost.

Don’t Forget to:

• Arrange House/Pet/Child Sitting~Make arrangements early during peak travel season
• Contact Your bank and Credit Card Companies You don’t want a “flag” put on your account for suspicious activity. If you’re traveling out of the country, check on possible fees.
• Stop Mail/Newspaper Delivery~Do you really want all that piling up at the door?
• Away Messages This is probably a good idea for work, but not necessarily for home. We love our social media to share our experience, but letting several thousand people know your house is unatttended for the next week or so…probably not the best thing to do.

BRING IT

• Passport/Visa/ID and copies
• Cash/Cards and list of numbers and contact info should your wallet or purse be stolen
• Emergency Contact Info~Don’t rely on having it on your locked phone. Keep it in your luggage and make certain your travel agent has it. Make sure your Emergency Contact ALSO has a passport in order to travel unexpectedly if needed.
• Tickets/Itinerary and copies
• Prescription Medicines it doesn’t hurt to have your doctor write a spare script…just in case
• Spare glasses and/or contacts 
• Motion sickness relief~I personally swear by Sea Bands. They are non-chemical, based on acupressure.  Bonine, Ginger, Dramamine and “the patch” all have various degrees of success for most people. Know how your body reacts to the medications. It is no fun being airsick, seasick or carsick, but you also want to REMEMBER your trip, not be zoned out through it!
• Appropriate Clothing~Pick two basic colors and mix and match. Avoid clothes that need ironed. Layers work in any environment.
• Comfortable Shoes~No matter what it is you will be doing, it always pays to have one pair of good walking shoes/sandals/sneakers. Airports alone can be treacherous!
• Toiletries~If you are not going someplace where soaps and shampoos are provided, airlines allow liquids and gels, up to 3.4 oz total, that must be placed in a zip top see-through quart bag. Make some do double duty: Shampoo/conditioner also works well as shaving lotion.

DON’T OVERDO IT

• Alcohol~Yes, you’re on vacation, but do you want to waste ANY of that time nursing a hangover?
• Food~There are a lot of wonderful new tastes and flavors…and buffet dining in vacationland. Beware of intestinal difficulties! Make sure your resort, hotel, etc is using purified water for drinks as well as ICE!
• Activities~You haven’t been skiing in a year? Don’t spend the whole first day on the slopes! Chances are good you will hardly be able to walk the next day! Ease into it!
• Sun~Mexico and the Caribbean are NOT the places you want to forgo the sunscreen to “kickstart” your tan!  Buy a big bottle of sunscreen when you land, and reapply often. A bad sunburn can ruin a vacation AND be bad for you years down the road. UV Natural makes an ocean life, marine friendly sunscreen. Skiing? PLEASE slather your face w/ a high SPF!
• Spending~Beware of high bank fees, especially when exchanging currency. Know the exchange rate so you don’t overpay, especially in places that also allow for use of the US Dollar. Don’t forget to consider the roaming charges on your cell phone for calls AND DATA USAGE!

ENJOY IT!

• Take lots of pictures
• Write yourself and your friends postcards
• Journal
• Appreciate the culture
• Try new things
• Learn new words
• Observe the customs
• Search for native wildlife
• Share the memories

Content and photos courtesy of Dawn Rettinger of www.dawnrettinger.com.

For more travel tips and other great vacation ideas, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020. 

Cruise Show Spectacular 2013!

For the past four years, we have had the pleasure of hosting the biggest cruise show of the year in select Pennsylvania cities and, this year, we are back and bigger than ever with Cruise Show Spectacular!

Attending Cruise Show Spectacular is a great way to find out what’s new in the cruise industry, save big with great special offers and register to win fun door prizes. Our Cruise Line Representatives and Boscov’s Travel Specialists will be available to answer questions, so this is the perfect opportunity to start planning your dream cruise.

Check out our participating cruise lines:

• Avalon Waterways
• Celebrity Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
• Viking River Cruises

Find your nearest Cruise Show Spectacular below! For a sneak preview, click here.

Sunday, January 27, 2013
The Crowne Plaza Hotel
Reading, PA
12:00pm-3:30pm
Registration begins at 11:30am

The Crowne Plaza is located just a few blocks from the Berkshire Mall at 1741 Papermill Road in Reading. Please contact Boscov’s Travel at the Reading Mall to reserve your seats. Call 610-779-8640 or email us
bostraveast@boscovs.com.

Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey
Harrisburg, PA
1:00pm-4:00pm
Registration begins at 12:30pm

The Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey is located at 4650 Lindle Road in Harrisburg. Please contact Boscov’s Travel at the Colonial Park Mall to reserve your seats. Call 717-540-4222 or email us bostravcolonialprk@boscovs.com.

Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Sheraton Bucks County
Langhorne, PA
12:00pm-3:30pm
Registration begins at 11:30am

The Sheraton Bucks County is located at 400 Oxford Valley Road in Langhorne. Please contact Boscov’s Travel at the Neshaminy Mall to reserve your seats. Call 215-355-3737 or email us bostravneshaminy@boscovs.com.

Sunday, March 3, 2013
The Ramada Inn
Wilkes-Barre, PA
12:00pm-3:30pm
Registration begins at 11:30am

The Ramada Inn is located at 20 public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Please contact Boscov’s Travel at 15 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre to reserve your seats. Call 570-823-4141 or email us bostravwilkesbarre@boscovs.com.

Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Estonia adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express
Easton, PA
12:00pm-3:30pm
Registration begins at 11:30am

The Holiday Inn Express is located at 90 Kunkle Drive in Easton. Please contact Boscov’s Travel at Palmer Park Mall to reserve your seats. Call 610-250-2772 or email us bostraveaston@boscovs.com.

Nickelodeon at Sea Giveaway!

Boscov’s Travelers, get ready for this afternoon’s Mystery Photo Game!

We are giving away a Norwegian Cruise Line Nickelodeon at Sea swag bag to one lucky player per photo! The prize is perfect for kids with fun Spongebob and Dora-themed items inside a Boscov’s Travel reusable shopping bag.

Be sure to guess each photo because each guess will be entered into a drawing to win the goodies! One entry per person, per photo and your guess must be posted on this blog post or the Facebook post to qualify.

Winners must be a past Boscov’s Travel client with a valid phone number and email address on file. Prizes must be picked up at the Boscov’s Travel location of your choice.

Good Luck!

To make sure your contact information is up to date, please contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

NCL Day 2012!

Boscov’s Travel is hosting NCL Day on Friday, October 26th. You’ll want to bring the whole family for a fun day at Boscov’s!

Boscov’s Travel East, Reading Mall
4500 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA

2:00pm – 5:30pm
Kids’ prizes
Crafts and coloring
Face Painting

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Join us for a live remote broadcast with Jo Painter of WEEU and the Boscov’s Travel staff. Learn about Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, Freestyle Cruising and more!

2:00pm
The Chick-fil-A Cow will stop by to say “Moo” to all our friends!

3:00pm
Our favorite silly local mascot, Slapshot of the Reading Royals, will be available for pictures!

4:00pm
The Red Robin Bird will fly in for a special appearance!

We can’t wait to see you all!

Tips for Pleasurable Family Travel

Family Travel is a wonderful bonding opportunity and a minefield for conflicts, and can bring to mind both happy memories and nightmares. In spite of its meany pleasures, travel can be stressful, especially with children. Use the following tips to reduce the hassle and increase the fun of family travel.

Plan ahead.

Family travel requires more planning and preparation. Although it might seem easier to simply take care of all the details yourself, it pays to involve children in the process. From choosing and researching a family travel destination, to packing their own luggage and coping with problems that pop up along the way, involvement is a great way to emphasize personal responsibility and build self-esteem in young travelers.

Seek out attractions and activities with appeal to everyone.

Join forces to create a destination wish list that gives everyone a taste of their favorites, from dining to diversions. Ask for help with Internet research… computer savvy kids love to scour the Web. Establish a family travel budget and give each child a travel allowance to reduce constant pleas for souvenirs and snacks.

Buy each child their own age-appropriate luggage.

Choose kid luggage that is pulled easily or worn as a hands-free backpack. Be sure you can juggle their bag and your own in the event of a mid-travel meltdown. Pack at least two changes of clothing into a carry-on bag. Accidents and travel go hand-in-hand, especially with infants and toddlers.

Create comfort and fun kits for long hours in transit. 

Add healthy, non-messy snacks for each child and yourself. Purchase bottles of water or juice after clearing security, before boarding the airplane. Provide individual MP3 players, or a portable DVD player or electronic games to combat roadway or airborne boredom. Bring along favorite must have toys and security blankets, just in case.

Chill Out!

Stay flexible and calm. Children take their lead from you. If you are visibly upset and stressing out, they will meltdown and add more to your stress. When Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head, be prepared with a Plan B and even a Plan C.

Discuss and practice clearing airport security ahead of time. Take the uncertainty out of the process and avoid misbehavior. Check and re-check carry-on bags to ensure there are no tools or toys that could be mistaken for weapons. Take medications and medical records for chronic illnesses and a current photograph of all young travelers in carry-on luggage. Grandparents and friends also need the protection of a valid Power of Attorney and medical insurance validation for children under their care.

For more information on family travel and other great travel tips, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020.

Boscov’s Campus of Courses: Travel Enrichment Seminars

I love early fall. The weather is cooling, leaves are starting to turn and fall, kids are getting settled at school and, best of all, Boscov’s Campus of Courses is back!

Boscov’s Campus of Courses is a series of educational seminars held in the department store’s famous Auditorium on a variety of fun subjects such as arts, crafts, fitness and health. I’m happy to announce that Boscov’s Travel is participating again with free Travel Enrichment Seminars in September and October!

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about a specific destination or type of travel. From brides and grooms planning a honeymoon to large groups, there are interesting and useful travel tips for everyone.

Atlantic City, NJ

• Caribbean Night - Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – 6:30pm
  Join our Boscov’s Travel Specialists and Sandals Resorts for our Caribbean Night! These resorts are the best in the Caribbean and the ideal location for honeymoons, destination weddings, and romantic getaways. Also learn about Beaches, the perfect all-inclusive family destination.
  Click Here for more details.

Camp Hill, PA

• Alaska Travel Night - Friday, September 28, 2012 – 6:30pm-8:30pm
  Let us introduce you to everything you can discover on a trip to Alaska: the awesome beauty, the wildlife and the fascinating people. We will discuss how to choose a tour or cruise and many other details on how to make the most out of your trip.
  Click Here for more details.

Colonial Park, PA

• Discover Disney - Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – 6pm-8pm
  Whether you have been to Disney World before or if it is your first trip, there’s lots to discover! The shows, the rides, the resorts! Nobody does it like Disney. And, no one can provide a better Disney Vacation than Boscov’s Travel. Learn all about our Disney Charters and our Exclusive Roundtrip Jet Service from the Harrisburg International Airport or one of three other local airports to Orlando.
  Click Here for more details.
• Boscov’s Bridal Event - Saturday, September 29, 2012 – 11am-12pm
  Join Boscov’s Registry and Boscov’s Travel for information from the experts on registries, honeymoons and destination weddings.
  Click Here for more details.
• Hawaiian Paradise - Saturday, September 29, 2012 – 1pm-3pm
  Explore the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands-by land and by sea-escorted or independent! Join the travel professionals from Boscovs Travel and Globus Family of Brands for an interesting and informative seminar on this tropical paradise.
  Click Here for more details.

Easton, PA

• Boscov’s Bridal Event - Friday, September 28, 2012 – 6:30pm-7:30pm
  Join Boscov’s Registry and Boscov’s Travel for information from the experts on registries, honeymoons and destination weddings.
  Click Here for more details.

Reading, PA – East Branch

• Boscov’s Bridal Event - Saturday, September 29, 2012 – 11am-12pm
  Join the wedding experts from Boscov’s to learn about our range of services – all in one convenient place! Boscov’s Registry, Catering, Wishes Event Design and Boscov’s Travel Honeymoons & Destination Weddings will assist you with arrangements for your big day the Boscov’s way.
  Click Here for more details.

Scranton, PA

• Discover Disney - Saturday, September 22, 2012 – 2pm-4pm
  Whether you have been to Disney World before or if it is your first trip, there’s lots to discover! The shows, the rides, the resorts! Nobody does it like Disney. And, no one can provide a better Disney Vacation than Boscov’s Travel. Learn all about our Disney Charters and our Exclusive Roundtrip Jet Service from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to Orlando.
  Click Here for more details.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

• Royal Caribbean Cruise Night - Thursday, September 20, 2012 – 6:30pm-8:30pm
  Learn about the newest innovative ships, exciting destinations & the value of cruising! Join Boscov’s Travel and special guest, Denise Reichwein, from Royal Caribbean International for a fun and informative seminar.
  Click Here for more details.
• Boscov’s Bridal Event - Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – 7:00pm
  Join Boscov’s Registry and Boscov’s Travel for information from the experts on registries, honeymoons and destination weddings.
  Click Here for more details.
• Discover Disney - Thursday, September 27, 2012 – 6:30pm-8:30pm
  Whether you have been to Disney World before or if it is your first trip, there’s lots to discover! The shows, the rides, the resorts! Nobody does it like Disney. And, no one can provide a better Disney Vacation than Boscov’s Travel. Learn all about our Disney Charters and our Exclusive Roundtrip Jet Service from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to Orlando.
  Click Here for more details.

For more information on these great events and great vacation ideas, contact your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist, email travelrequest@boscovs.com or call 800-755-8020. For information on other Boscov’s Campus of Courses events, please contact your local Boscov’s Department Store.

Back to Nature – Making a Family Vacation in the Great Outdoors

Achieving family togetherness is never an easy task—and it can be especially difficult when taking the whole gang on vacation. While it can seem nearly impossible to find a destination that everyone will love, a getaway to one of the many national parks in the U.S. or Canada just may be the answer for achieving family harmony.

Along with their overwhelming beauty and endless list of diversions, national parks can challenge every member of the family, both physically and mentally, allowing everyone to return home with real accomplishments to think back on. Parents can relax knowing the parks and surrounding towns are easy-going places that are very accustomed to the needs of families. You don’t have to worry about fitting in and you’ll likely meet plenty of other families with children.

Most national parks throughout the U.S. and Canada offer a range of accommodations and dining and camping options for different budgets. Of course, depending on your family’s survival skills, you can “rough it” as much or as little as you want. Most parks also offer educational programs and camps that allow children and parents to spend time apart, learning on their own. With 58 national parks in the U.S. and 36 national park reserves in Canada, there’s an incredible assortment of parks located in nearly every kind of environment, from mountain and coastal areas to desert locales and snowy climes.

To help you narrow down the field of parks, we’ve chosen a few of our favorites from each country. Should you prefer to leave the exploring to the experts, consider taking a guided tour that will take you up close to many parks and interesting sites. Your local Boscov’s Travel Specialist can help you find which national parks and tours best fit your family’s interests and needs.

National Parks in the United States

The U.S. is loaded with mesmerizing national parks, and these oases of pristine beauty are overwhelming in every way imaginable—in number, size and their capacity to inspire wonder. The most difficult question to answer is: Which one will you see next? Here are a few of our faves…

• Acadia National Park
  The eastern U.S. provides splendid options for outdoor vacations and Acadia National Park is one of its most celebrated. The park has a rich human history that includes Native Americans, European settlers, artists, conservationists and more. Each group has made its mark on what is today Acadia National Park. The park is located on the coast of Maine and has unsurpassed northern Oceanside views and cliff climbing that you won’t find in other parks. Sheer cliff faces collide with the pounding surf, and small fishing and sail boats ply Frenchman Bay where the air is perfumed by fir trees and the Atlantic Ocean. Protecting over 47,000 acres, Acadia’s scenic trails are a hiker’s dream. There is also fishing, island exploring and beautiful gardens to gaze upon here.
• Yellowstone National Park
  A place where a picture truly says a thousand words, images of Yellowstone speak for themselves. The oldest national park in America, Yellowstone is spread out over three states (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho), and within its 3,468 square miles offers some of the most compelling geothermal and geological wonders—the famous geyser Old Faithful, Yellowstone Caldera (the largest super volcano on the continent) and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, to name just a few. The park is also home to lots of fun, furry creatures. There is a variety of summer and winter activities suitable for everyone, from extreme back-country hiker to the young family who requires somewhat gentler trails. Note that permits and reservations are required for some of the things you might want to do, such as fishing, camping, renting snow machines, llama packing and horseback riding.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  A top pick for those living in the American Midwest is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is hands down one of the best all-around parks for the family. It falls within the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. You can choose to rough it on the Appalachian Trail, camp out in a developed campground or wilderness, or stay anywhere from luxurious suites to nice inexpensive hotels in nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. And, speaking of Pigeon Forge, you have Dollywood theme park and all the innumerable attractions the town offers nearby. On the North Carolina side you have more campgrounds, the city of Cherokee that has several Native America museums, whitewater rafting and fly fishing (the last two are actually offered in both states). The mountains are absolutely beautiful and make for great photo ops.